7 Common Hotel Booking Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most important considerations to make while creating travel plans is picking the right hotel for your stay. Cramped hotel rooms, undesirable locations, and bad views are some of the factors that could make your trip miserable. Even if booking a room is an easy process, there are still many factors to consider. Some of the common mistakes that might ruin a person’s travel experience are listed below.
Non-refundable hotel reservations
Hotels with non-refundable options are frequently less expensive than those with refundable costs. While it may appear that you are saving enough money for the vacation by considering a low-cost hotel room, the hotelier benefits because it ensures the room won’t be vacant. Nobody will want the trip they have been planning to get delayed, canceled, or in any other way interfered with. But one cannot deny the possibility of last-minute cancellations of travel plans due to any issue. Therefore, carefully understand the hotel’s cancellation policy while booking a reservation. It is advised to book refundable stays in anticipation of the worst. Many of the hotels in Vegas offer refundable bookings, so if you plan to stay in Nevada, you can consider those hotels.
Not using a credit card
While bank transfers and debit cards are acceptable options, credit cards may offer multiple advantages when making travel arrangements. Although the offers vary from card to card, many credit cards provide fantastic discounts you may take advantage of while making hotel reservations. For several reasons, booking a hotel room with a debit card is not a good idea. Many of us may not have enough cash in our accounts to cover the cost of the hotel, taxes, and the incidental temporary deposit; in such cases, credit card payment is the safe option. It might save you from high travel costs in several ways, like getting discounts or even free services. Credit cards provide guarantees that debit cards and cash do not, in addition to benefits like airline miles, free hotel nights, or cash-back bonuses (such as fraud protection or immediate refunds for mischarges).
Not checking the reviews
Some hotels will travel to any lengths to show their properties in the best possible light. For example, when you arrive at a hotel, the infinity pool advertised on the hotel’s page might be way smaller than shown in the pictures, and the luxurious linens might feel like sandpaper. Therefore, whatever a hotel claims about itself should be taken with a grain of salt. Making hotel bookings without reading customer reviews is a common error that is simple to avoid. All you need to do is read the reviews and ratings for the possible cabins you are considering, then choose the most reliable one. In addition, there are numerous websites where you can learn about customers’ opinions on various cabin hotels and decide the hotel that best suits your requirements.
Not signing up for reward programs offered by hotels
Online reservations for hotels with cabins could include a request for you to join their loyalty programs. It is time to give that choice another consideration for your next reservation if you have previously ignored it. The reward program of a business may entitle you to special offers, discounts, and other benefits. One of the best ways to maximize the stay for frequent travelers is to sign up for these reward programs. You’re passing up the chance to receive more benefits if you don’t subscribe to this amenity. Wi-Fi access and a complimentary breakfast are typically included in these incentive programs. It also boosts the likelihood of an upgrade in the room and many other things.
Booking at the wrong time
There is no ideal time to book, but considering the destination’s seasonality while making a hotel reservation can help you save money. However, it is imperative to refrain from making any hotel reservations during the destination’s busy season because, at this time, hotel rates are typically at their highest. In Las Vegas, the suites in the most famous Encore resorts often get booked even a few months before the tourist season. Many travelers would confess that postponing travel arrangements until the last minute can have disastrous effects on one’s credit card balance. Although it might seem evident, some people book their rooms and flight tickets simultaneously. Early booking can help you avoid paying more than you have to because many travel agencies and online portals can handle this for you. In the days preceding a specific date, hotel costs may rise, and if all rooms are booked, you might be unable to find accommodation.
Not researching the location properly
Location is one of the most important factors when choosing a hotel. What you can see and do while staying there will depend on the area, so it’s best to be aware of your alternatives before making any reservations. The first step in making a hotel reservation is to choose the location. The hotel’s locality should be the main deciding factor because it will affect how much time and money you will spend traveling. A poor choice of the site may waste time traveling between locations, not to mention additional costs associated with transportation. Choose a cabin closer to the city center or the locations of your business meetings if you are traveling on business. If you’re vacationing, choose lodgings close to your top attractions to reduce travel-related stress.
Not going through terms and conditions
The most common error travelers often make is not reading the hotel’s terms and conditions before booking. It is important to take the time to read through the terms and conditions once to reduce your possibility of encountering unforeseen costs that may ultimately affect your bill. When making a reservation, ask about any additional costs the hotel may levy. It will help you calculate the total price of your stay. Moreover, if you have a pet, read the pet policy and the cancellation policy. You wouldn’t want to arrive at your location only to learn that dogs are not allowed. If you study the establishment’s pet policy, you can avoid hassles by searching for pet-friendly hotels.